All Illinois gun owners are invited to join in Illinois Gun Owners Lobby Day (IGOLD) in Springfield in 2010. This is an annual event where everyone goes to lobby` their representatives in the Illinois House and Senate. ICarry.org is partnering with local and internet organizations in Illinois to increase attendance and make a bigger & better impression in Springfield. The other participating organizations are The ISRA, Illinois Carry and Champaign County Rifle Assoc. Get your local organization involved as well!
We will meet at the Prairie Capitol Convention Center - Doors open at 10:45 with the program set to begin at 11:45 am. We will have a legislative briefing, then we will all march to the Capitol Building to locate and talk with our representatives.
Please join us for Illinois Gun Owners Lobby Day, you won't regret going.
When &
Where:
Begins Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 11:45am
Starting Location: 10:30:00 am - Prairie Capitol Convention Center - Doors open - View Map Located at the corner of 8th St & Adams.
11:45 am - Get Ready to Rally!
12:00 pm - Prairie Capitol Convention Center - Legislative Briefing
1:00 pm - Head out to lobby Senators and Representatives,
respectfully make our presence known in
committee hearings that are in session
Parking:
Several parking garages are located near the Convention Center.
Metered on-street parking is available in the area.
The meters accept quarters for up to a 9 hour period.
More parking locations and a printable map available soon.
Forget the hassle of parking near the Capitol! IGOLD will have buses going to Springfield from strategic locations throughout Illinois. Ride the bus, ride with your friends. This year there are additional buses in the Chicago area.
Need more info now, or want to sponsor a bus? Contact the ISRA Office! On-line sign up will be available for most buses.
Amtrak has trains to and from Springfield and selected cities in Illinois along a line from Chicago to St. Louis. More info here.
Apparel:
Wear whatever you'd feel comfortable in while you are meeting your representatives, and don't forget you'll also be representing the rest of your fellow Illinois gun owners. Business casual is suggested, dress up if you want. We suggest that you don't wear any camo.
To show a unified front, we ask that any signs and messages be proper and pertain only to firearms rights. Other freedoms are just as important, but this event is for the right to keep and bear arms only, as honored and protected by the Second Amendment.
Security:
There are metal detectors in the Capitol Building that you will have to pass through on your way in, so please think ahead for this: no knives - not even tiny knives! - multitools, novelty ammo keyfobs, etc. Bring proper identification.
Limit items that have to be opened (purses, fannypacks, etc) or better yet avoid having them altogether if you can, as this will help speed up the security process.
ICarry.org will have people accepting loose-change donations to go towards food for the homeless in the name of gun owners to help speed things up.
If you have metal buttons or any other metal objects, have them ready to drop in the cup and make sure you don't forget any. This will help speed things up a lot.
Who:
You, of course! ...and bring a friend. Even Better: bring two friends! All firearms owners or even non-firearms-owners are welcome and urged to come out to support the Second Amendment in the state that's about to see the biggest change for free
